An Overview of the American Health Care System
Healthcare facilities in the United States are largely privately owned. Health insurance in the USA is primarily obtained through employers, independently through private purchase, or through government-based programs. Some low-cost and cost-free health care services exist through non-profit organizations, charities, and publicly funded programs.
However, international visitors should always carry insurance when they visit the United States. The cost of treating a serious emergency can be catastrophically high. The cost of getting medical services in the US is one of the highest worldwide, which makes sense to be insured when visiting the country.
The United States is home to some of the best hospitals and research facilities in the world. Their top treatment hospitals include the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, UCLA Medical Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The United States also has the most highly ranked hospitals in the world for cancer care, cardiac care, and orthopedic medicine.
There is a wide range of public and private hospitals, surgery centers, urgent care clinics, and specialty clinics in major cities. In smaller communities, care options are more limited and may include anything from a county hospital, to a community care clinic run by nurse practitioners, to telehealth services.
Healthcare facilities in the United States are largely privately owned. Health insurance in the USA is primarily obtained through employers, independently through private purchase, or through government-based programs. Some low-cost and cost-free health care services exist through non-profit organizations, charities, and publicly funded programs.
However, international visitors should always carry insurance when they visit the United States. The cost of treating a serious emergency can be catastrophically high. The cost of getting medical services in the US is one of the highest worldwide, which makes sense to be insured when visiting the country.
The United States is home to some of the best hospitals and research facilities in the world. Their top treatment hospitals include the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, UCLA Medical Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital. The United States also has the most highly ranked hospitals in the world for cancer care, cardiac care, and orthopedic medicine.
There is a wide range of public and private hospitals, surgery centers, urgent care clinics, and specialty clinics in major cities. In smaller communities, care options are more limited and may include anything from a county hospital, a community care clinic run by nurse practitioners, to telehealth services.
Pharmacies, Vaccines, and Medication in America
35% of the pharmacies in the United States are independently owned small businesses. The remaining pharmacies are located within other facilities, including drug stores (though the terms “drugstore” and “pharmacy” are used interchangeably), clinics, grocery stores, and hospitals. A significant number of these pharmacies are owened by chain brand stores such as Walgreens and CVS. A recent review shows that 37% of prescriptions in the US are filled by mail order. Common, over-the-counter medications are also available in most retail environments, including grocery stores and gas stations.
Unlike other countries, pharmacies in the United States are often large, “one-stop-shop” centers. The major chain drug stores have their own in-house brands of over-the-counter medications, which you may see on the shelf next to more expensive brand names.f you are shopping for common pain or allergy medications, ask the pharmacy team if they have a less expensive, generic equivalent. Note that most drugstore staff are not trained in pharmacology. If you have a medical question, you have to ask the pharmacist or their assistant, not just a store employee.
Prescriptions in the United States require a “fill” time of several minutes to several hours. There is plenty of time to browse, complete routine shopping, and avail yourself of other free services such as a blood pressure check as you roam around the store.
If you are bringing medications to the United States, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter, they should be in their original, labeled container. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you bring no more than 90 days’ supply of any medication to the US and that you bring a doctor’s note in English explaining why you need the medication.
There are no mandatory vaccinations to travel to the United States as a visitor as of when this article was published. However, in August 2021, the United States government announced an intention to require all visitors to be vaccinated for COVID-19 when entry restrictions are lifted. While the USA presently does not mandate vaccinations, foreign governments and the WHO recommend visitors to the USA be vaccinated against diseases including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, human papillomavirus, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, polio, rotavirus, tuberculosis, varicella, pneumococcal disease, and seasonal influenza.
If you are emigrating to the US (seeking permanent residency), the following vaccines are mandatory: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, varicella, pneumococcal disease, and seasonal influenza. As of October 1, 2021, coronavirus vaccination will also be mandatory. Health insurance for foreigners in the USA often offers certain vaccinations as a benefit, so make sure you utilize it wisely.
As with all destinations, speak with your doctor before you go to make sure your routine immunizations are up to date.
Related: Cost of Health Care in the USA and Health Insurance Costs in the USA
US Health and Travel Insurance Plans for Internationals
Comprehensive International Medical Insurance in the USA
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Short Term (up to One Year) Travel Insurance for Visitors to the USA
Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
Introduction to Healthcare Systems in America
Envisage International and InternationalStudentInsurance.com have created an informative 6-minute video providing an overview of the US healthcare system. It addresses the challenges of navigating the health care system and some tips for taking care of yourself. While it was designed for students, the information contained in the article is relevant to any visitor or emigre to the US. The video provides advice and tips for preparing to come to the US, examples of costs for specific medical treatment in the US, finding a provider, and an overview of terms.
Their site offers more information specifically for students at this link: Overview of US healthcare for students.
Insurance Recommendations to Consider Before Going to the USA
Remember that there is no universal healthcare in the USA. While the US pays for health care for specific groups such as the elderly and veterans through programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Veteran’s Health Administration, overall the government does not sponsor health benefits for its citizens, much less foreigners. If you need medical care, you pay for it in full unless your insurance policy covers it.
There’s ample evidence that healthcare in the USA is expensive. Your hospital bill can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the injury or illness that needs to be treated. The cost can easily climb to tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars the longer you stay in the hospital. Even if you have considerable savings, getting hospitalized in America without health insurance for foreigners can make a huge dent in your bank account.
58.5% of American bankruptcies stem from medical bills. Since medical care has such a high risk of causing insurmountable financial issues, most people in the country have health insurance. Being insured will protect you from being bankrupted if you get sick or hurt, letting you focus instead on your health and recovery instead of the financial burden of getting treated.
Similarly, Americans living overseas often carry health insurance for US citizens living abroad. They are used to this system, so they understand how insurance helps them mitigate the cost of getting medical services. Even if they are in a country with a universal healthcare system, they often prefer to maintain insurance for US expats as a supplementary measure to cover most of their medical needs.
Additionally, getting health insurance in the USA provides you with the advantage of choosing your primary care provider. You can select the clinic, hospital, nurse, or physician that will attend to your needs whenever you need a lab test, care for an ongoing condition, or a quick response during emergencies, so long as that provider is included in your insurer’s network. Knowing the hospital and doctor that will take care of you adds confidence and assurance that you are in safe and capable hands.
Choosing the Right Health Insurance in the USA
In shortlisting health insurance for foreigners in the USA, you have to consider several factors to make sure you optimize its benefits without sacrificing coverage while staying within budget. As a guide, consider the following questions to help you decide the kind of insurance you need before traveling to America.
- How old are you? Do you have any underlying health conditions? Does your family have a history of illnesses that might manifest in the future?
- What are your plans for traveling to the USA? Do you intend to take a vacation there for a few weeks or do you plan to stay there for several years for work?
- How much can you allocate for medical needs and monthly insurance payments? Will you still have extra money left to pay for miscellaneous expenses after you have paid for your insurance coverage?
If you are a non-resident seeking health insurance for foreigners in the USA, you want a plan that fits your budget and medical needs. If you are unsure of which plan to get, we are here to assist you and help you find select plans from the most trusted insurance providers worldwide. We can also provide you with free quotations so you can better assess your budget and wisely choose health insurance in the USA that will fit your situation.
